May 2004

Terry Robinson has assured Blades fans that talks to strengthen the squad are continuing despite several key figures being away on holiday. Clarke Carlisle and Marc Bircham both of QPR, and Alan Quinn of Wednesday are among those names pondering over moves to Neil Warnock's side. Andy Liddell is expected to complete his switch to the Lane when his contract at Wigan Athletic expires next month. Vice-chairman Robinson said: "We're still speaking with everyone we're keen to bring here. Those negotiations have never stopped and will carry on regardless. Everyone on the coaching staff and board are in constant contact with each other as we are with those players and their representatives."

Neil Warnock has confirmed he has spoken to Andy Liddell's agent. Striker Liddell has refused to sign a one-year contract extension at Wigan, and is expected to be the first new arrival at the Lane after telling team-mates at the JJB Stadium that he would favour a move to United. And barring a last-minute change of heart, he should put pen to paper when his contract expires next month. Warnock is also expected to draft in a replacement for out-going defender Robert Page and is also targeting a creative midfielder after conceding his side missed the presence of Michael Brown after his switch to Tottenham. "I know what I want to do and I've already put some wheels in motion," said the Blades boss. "There are a couple of options but obviously I'm limited in what I can spend. However, I'm hopeful of getting the right people. If I don't think someone is right for us then they won't be coming at all. It's the spine I'm looking at, right down the middle."

Neil Warnock has refused to rule-out the prospect of Brian Deane returning to Bramall Lane but admitted it is up to the former Blades legend to prove he is serious about playing for United again. Deane confirmed earlier this week that he will leave West Ham at the end of the Play-offs and has told friends he would relish the opportunity of finishing his career with a third spell at the Lane . Warnock commented: "I know that Brian has been telling his friends that he wants to come back here. I also know that he is definitely not staying at West Ham. We’ve only got a certain level of wages that we can pay and anyone who comes to United has to fit into the bracket." The Blades need a proven target-man/goalscorer and Deane would fit the bill perfectly on both fronts.

Robert Page, Peter Ndlovu and Andy Parkinson have all being made available for transfer when Manager Neil Warnock announced his retained list today. Warnock has handed free transfers to 6 out of contract players - Mark Rankine, Mike Whitlow, Colin Cryan, Danny Wood, Steve Jagielka and Kristian Rogers. Warnock explained why he has made Robert page available; "I spoke to Rob and told him that I wanted to freshen things up in the squad. Like a true professional he has accepted why I feel I have had to put him on the list. With the squad being small I have to try to wheel and deal in the transfer market and there are areas I want to improve before the start of the season. The only way I can this by sacrificing players currently in the squad. I wish them all well - they have all contributed in the dressing-room and on the field this season.

Notts County have agreed terms with Blades defender Mike Whitlow. The 36-year-old was a player with County boss Gary Mills at Leicester between 1992 and 1997 and has also spent time with Leeds, Bolton and the Blades. His deal at Bramall Lane runs out at the end of June and he is expected to sign on the dotted line in time for pre-season training at the start of July.

The final game of the season ended in an entertaining draw with chances at both ends. The Blades also hit the woodwork twice in a game which could have gone either way in the closing stages. Early on, a well worked move by Craig Brown's men almost found a way through in the fourth minute. Eddie Lewis cut inside before playing the ball to Healy who took one touch and laid it back to the American who fired just over the bar. After 21 minutes United got the opening goal. A nice series of passes on the right eventually ended with Rob Kozluk sending in a superb cross for Phil Jagielka at the far post, the midfielder rising to head home from 6 yards. But the celebrations of the 3000 Bladesmen and women were short lived. Ricardo Fuller’s searching ball into the Blades box was kicked away by Robert Page, but the ball only found Graham Alexander. The defender firing in a well hit strike which beat Paddy Kenny in United’s goal. In the 38th minute United regained the lead. Alan Wright’s free-kick from his own half was headed on by Wayne Allison and the ball fell nicely for Andy Gray. The Scotsman with his back to goal and with Claude Davis marking him tightly swivelled to produce a brilliant volley from an unbelievable angle to give Jonathan Gould no chance in the Preston goal. At this stage Blade’s fans’ were reaching for the radios in the crowd and trying to work out every possible permutation which would lead to play-off spot. Most agreed that United needed another goal to overtake Palace who at this stage were losing. But in the 54h minute United and their fans were dealt a cruel blow, when the Lilywhite’s were allowed to take a free-kick quickly – so quickly that the Blades players were still making their defensive wall and Kenny was still getting into position. The referee allowed David Healy to take the kick and he bent the ball around the wall past Kenny who was helpless. The Blades almost grabbed a third when Allison rose high in the box to smash a header against the bar. On 60 minutes, United hit the woodwork again, this time from Wright his 25-yard wonderful rasping free-kick beat the wall, beat the keeper but failed to beat the far post as it ricocheted away. On 77 minutes, United went ahead again, this time from Wright’s cross from the left eventually dropped for Gray who poked the ball in from 6 yards. With the Blades fans’ struggling to find their radios to check on the other scores; again Preston found another equaliser. A far post cross was headed back into the six yard box by Healy and an unmarked Fuller beat Kenny to give the lilywhites the equaliser. Time had run out for the Blades, not only in the match but for the season. The chance of a play-off spot had not been lost today; it was lost in previous games – remember Stoke, Derby and Sunderland. That said, it had been a battling performance by Neil Warnock’s players today, and looking back at the season as a whole; Blades Fans can be proud of what the players have achieved and will have some great memories to look back on over the season. The Blades are still Number 1 in South Yorkshire. Next season we will be Number 1 in Yorkshire.

The Blades will be without Nick Montgomery and Jack Lester who both have knee injuries. Izale McLeod could get his first start for United. Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny faces a late fitness test on his hip injury; Sasa Ilic stands by as cover for Kenny. If The Blades are to qualify for the play-offs they will need to win at Deepdale. They also need Cardiff to beat Ipswich and West Ham to take at least a point from Wigan.

Jack Lester is out of the Blades last fixture of the season at Preston; and could be struggling to be fit for pre-season training after suffering knee ligament damage. The striker, who has hit 15 goals this season, limped out of the action in last week's draw with Ipswich and subsequent X-rays have confirmed medial ligament damage. The 28-year-old will have his knee in a special cast for four weeks before he can start his rehabilitation, but is hopeful of recovering in time for pre-season training.

Blades manager Neil Warnock believes that his side's play-off hopes are over after a 1-1 draw at home to Ipswich Town. United are still eighth in the table with only one game to play and Warnock is downcast about United's chances of sneaking into the final play-off spot. He commented: "I should be saying the right things, such as 'while it's mathematically possible we will give it our best shot'. But, for me, we've no chance now. You don't get the results that we now need. I am not that much of an optimist. It has been frustrating over the last six weeks. It is clear we have not been good enough". United would need West Ham to win or draw away at Wigan and Cardiff to win at Ipswich. The Blades would also need to win at Preston for them to complete the scenario and claim the last play-off position.